News and Events
Introduction
The UIC School of Art is a vibrant community of artists, educators, makers, and innovators. Throughout the year, students, faculty, visiting artists, and community members come together through exhibitions, workshops, lectures, screenings, camps, and special events that explore contemporary art and creative practice. From internationally recognized exhibitions at Gallery 400 to hands-on studio experiences and youth programming, there is always something happening within the School of Art.
Schol of Art
On View at Gallery 400: Press & Pull: A Legacy of the Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop
Sep 11–Dec 12, 2026
Press & Pull surveys the origins, collaboration, and technical innovation of the US’s oldest and continuously operating cooperative workshop. Founded in 1947 by artist, educator, and master printer Robert Blackburn (1920–2003), the Workshop arose during an era of racial segregation when artists of color had limited opportunities, and from the dissolution of the Works Progress Administration Federal Art Project (1935–43), which had supported community art centers across the country, including Chicago’s South Side Community Art Center. Blackburn filled the void with the Printmaking Workshop, creating a shared space for racial integration and collective creativity.
Upcoming Gallery 400 Programs
Join us for the opening reception of Press & Pull, Gallery 400’s fall exhibition tracing the Workshop’s early foundations, culture of innovation, and ongoing role as a hub for mentorship and collaboration. Featuring more than 35 prints by legacy and contemporary artists, the exhibition celebrates the enduring vision of Robert Blackburn (1920–2003) and Chicago’s contributions to printmaking in American art.
UIC Art Summer Camp
The inaugural UIC Art Summer Camp is now underway. Designed for students entering grades 3–8, the camp combines traditional studio art practices with contemporary creative technologies in a college-level art environment. Campers explore drawing, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, design, and collaborative art projects while learning from licensed art educators and School of Art instructors. Each session concludes with a family showcase exhibition celebrating the work created throughout the week.
Student Exhibitions & Creative Research
UIC students regularly present their work through exhibitions, screenings, installations, and public projects across campus and throughout Chicago. Recent highlights include the MFA Thesis Exhibition, where graduating Master of Fine Arts students showcased work developed during two years of intensive studio practice, research, and teaching experience. These exhibitions demonstrate the breadth of artistic approaches represented within the School of Art, from painting and sculpture to moving image, photography, and new media.
Visiting Artists, Lectures, and Community Engagement
Throughout the academic year, the School of Art hosts visiting artists, curators, scholars, and cultural leaders from across the country. These programs provide students with opportunities to engage directly with contemporary creative professionals, gain insight into diverse artistic practices, and participate in critical conversations shaping the future of art and culture.
Check back regularly as new exhibitions, workshops, lectures, screenings, and community events are announced throughout the year.